Ionic Liquid Catalyzed Olefin Oligomerization for Distillate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional processes for upgrading light condensate streams into distillate range products, such as zeolite-based catalysts, suffer from low conversion rates, selectivity, and rapid deactivation, while alternative methods like H3PO4-based oligomerization produce low-quality products, failing to effectively convert olefins into valuable distillate and lube base stock.

Innovation Solution

The use of ionic liquid catalyzed olefin oligomerization processes, which involve contacting C2-C8 olefin streams with a catalyst in a hydrocarbon conversion zone to produce a distillate enriched stream, followed by dechlorination to remove halogenated components, thereby enhancing conversion rates and selectivity, and utilizing co-catalysts like anhydrous HCl or organic chlorides to promote catalytic activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If zeolite based catalysts are used for olefin oligomerization, then the process is simple to operate, but the conversion rate of olefins is low and selectivity towards distillate range material is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidconversion rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition and physical state parameters of the catalyst from solid zeolite to liquid ionic liquid, enabling new reaction mechanisms and improved olefin conversion while maintaining ease of operation through continuous liquid-phase processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite ionic liquid catalysts containing multiple components (e.g., aluminum salts, organic ligands) that work synergistically to achieve both high conversion rates and selective distillate production, overcoming the limitations of single-component zeolite catalysts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If zeolite based catalysts are used for olefin oligomerization, then the process is simple to operate, but the catalyst deactivates rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcatalytic activity stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter from solid to liquid catalyst, which prevents the rapid deactivation issues of zeolites by enabling continuous catalyst circulation and regeneration, thereby improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid ionic liquid catalyst enables continuous catalytic action through circulation and regeneration systems, preventing the intermittent operation required by deactivating solid catalysts and maintaining steady-state activity over extended periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If H3PO4 based oligomerization process is used, then the conversion of olefins is high, but the product quality is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion rateVSAvoidproduct quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the catalyst from H3PO4 to ionic liquid, which maintains high conversion rates while improving product quality through selective catalysis that favors distillate range hydrocarbons with desirable properties for jet fuel and diesel production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ionic liquid catalyst provides local active sites with specific properties that promote oligomerization reactions leading to distillate range products while minimizing unwanted side reactions, thereby achieving both high conversion and high product quality simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly increases the yield of distillate products, reduces the production of lighter fractions like naphtha and LPG, and maintains low chloride content, allowing the resulting fuels to be blended into refinery streams, thus overcoming the limitations of existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

ionic liquid catalyzed olefin oligomerization processes, which involve contacting C2-C8 olefin streams with a catalyst in a hydrocarbon conversion zone to produce a distillate enriched stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

followed by dechlorination to remove halogenated components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDechlorination:

Data Source

PatentUS8586812B2Ionic liquid catalyzed olefin oligomerization for distillate production

Publication Date: 2013.11.19 CHEVRON USA INC

AI summary

Processes for upgrading condensate in a first hydrocarbon stream to provide distillate material may involve ionic liquid catalyzed olefin oligomerization of olefins in the first hydrocarbon stream to provide a first distillate enriched stream, dechlorination of the first distillate enriched stream, hydroprocessing at least one of a second and a third hydrocarbon stream to provide a second distillate enriched stream, and separation of a distillate product from the first and second distillate enriched streams.